Systems and methods for loading a pre-curved electrode array onto a straightening member

Abstract

An exemplary system for loading a pre-curved electrode array onto a straightening member includes a loading tool and a straightening member. An exemplary loading tool may include a body and first and second flexible arms each having a fixed end connected to the body and a free end opposite the fixed end. The first and second flexible arms may define a straightening channel configured to constrain a pre-curved electrode array in a straightened configuration. The first and second flexible arms may be further configured to flex away from each other to receive the pre-curved electrode array into the straightening channel. The straightening member is configured to be inserted into the pre-curved electrode array while the pre-curved electrode array is in the straightened configuration and retain the pre-curved electrode array in the straightened configuration after the pre-curved electrode array is removed from the loading tool. Corresponding methods are also described.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A system for loading a lead comprising a pre-curved electrode array onto a straightening member, the system comprising:
 a loading tool comprising
 a body, 
 a first flexible arm having a fixed end connected to the body and a free end opposite the fixed end, and 
 a second flexible arm having a fixed end connected to the body and a free end opposite the fixed end, wherein
 the first flexible arm and the second flexible arm define a straightening channel, and 
 the first flexible arm and the second flexible arm flex away from each other to receive the pre-curved electrode array into the straightening channel and return from being flexed away from each other to a non-flexed position after the pre-curved electrode array is positioned within the straightening channel to constrain the pre-curved electrode array in a straightened configuration within the straightening channel; and 
 
 
 a straightening member configured to be inserted into the pre-curved electrode array while the pre-curved electrode array is constrained in the straightened configuration and retain the pre-curved electrode array in the straightened configuration after the pre-curved electrode array is removed from the loading tool. 
 
     
     
       2. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the first flexible arm and the second flexible arm define a mouth configured to receive and straighten the pre-curved electrode array as it moves into the straightening channel. 
     
     
       3. The system of  claim 2 , wherein the mouth has a flared opening. 
     
     
       4. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-curved electrode array has a shape that tapers from a proximal end to a distal end and wherein the straightening channel has a tapered configuration corresponding to the tapered shape of the pre-curved electrode array. 
     
     
       5. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the body defines a recess configured to receive the pre-curved electrode array in a curved configuration prior to the pre-curved electrode array being drawn into the straightening channel to move the pre-curved electrode array to the straightened configuration. 
     
     
       6. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the body comprises a first side member and a second side member configured to be coupled together. 
     
     
       7. The system of  claim 6 , wherein the first side member is integrally formed with the first flexible arm and the second side member is integrally formed with the second flexible arm. 
     
     
       8. The system of  claim 7 , wherein the loading tool has a forceps-like configuration. 
     
     
       9. The system of  claim 8 , wherein the loading tool further comprises a locking mechanism configured to selectively lock the first side member and the second side member in a closed position. 
     
     
       10. The system of  claim 1 , wherein the body further comprises instructions disposed thereon and configured to direct a user on how to utilize the loading tool, wherein the instructions include at least one of written instructions and graphical indicia. 
     
     
       11. The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a pre-curved electrode array. 
     
     
       12. A method of loading a lead comprising a pre-curved electrode array onto a straightening member, said method comprising:
 disposing the pre-curved electrode array in a curved configuration at least partially into a loading tool, the loading tool comprising:
 a body, 
 a first flexible arm having a fixed end connected to the body and a free end opposite the fixed end, and 
 a second flexible arm having a fixed end connected to the body and a free end opposite the fixed end, wherein
 the first flexible arm and the second flexible arm define a straightening channel, and 
 the first flexible arm and the second flexible arm flex away from each other to receive the pre-curved electrode array into the straightening channel and return from being flexed away from each other to a non-flexed position after the pre-curved electrode array is positioned within the straightening channel to constrain the pre-curved electrode array in a straightened configuration within the straightening channel; 
 
 
 drawing the pre-curved electrode array into the straightening channel of the loading tool to move the pre-curved electrode array from the curved configuration to the straightened configuration; and 
 inserting a straightening member at least partially into the pre-curved electrode array while the pre-curved electrode array is constrained in the straightened configuration to retain the pre-curved electrode array in the straightened configuration. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising removing the pre-curved electrode array and the inserted straightening member from the loading tool. 
     
     
       14. The method of  claim 12 , further comprising pushing a lead body of the pre-curved electrode array into the straightening channel and wherein the drawing of the pre-curved electrode array into the straightening channel comprises pulling the lead body until the pre-curved electrode array is positioned within the straightening channel in a straightened configuration. 
     
     
       15. A tool for loading a lead comprising a pre-curved electrode array onto a straightening member, the tool comprising:
 a body; 
 a first flexible arm having a fixed end connected to the body and a free end opposite the fixed end; and 
 a second flexible arm having a fixed end connected to the body and a free end opposite the fixed end; wherein
 the first flexible arm and the second flexible arm define a straightening channel, and 
 the first flexible arm and the second flexible arm to separate to receive the pre-curved electrode array into the straightening channel and then return from being separated from each other to a non-flexed position after the pre-curved electrode array is positioned within the straightening channel to constrain the pre-curved electrode array in a straightened configuration within the straightening channel. 
 
 
     
     
       16. The tool of  claim 15 , wherein the first flexible arm and the second flexible arm define a mouth having a flared opening, the mouth configured to receive and straighten the pre-curved electrode array as it moves into the straightening channel. 
     
     
       17. The tool of  claim 15 , wherein the straightening channel has a tapered configuration corresponding to a tapered shape of the pre-curved electrode array. 
     
     
       18. The tool of  claim 15 , wherein the body comprises a first side member and a second side member, wherein the first side member and the second side member are configured to be coupled together, and wherein the first side member is integrally formed with the first flexible arm and the second side member is integrally formed with the second flexible arm. 
     
     
       19. The tool of  claim 15 , wherein the body further comprises instructions disposed thereon configured to direct a user on how to utilize the loading tool, wherein the instructions include at least one of written instructions and graphical indicia.